Mission Statement: The Scholars Academy seeks
to provide a diverse group of highly motivated
students with a truly world-class secondary
education that prepares them for life in a global
scholarly community.
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Mr. Guthrie: Lead teacher Scholars Academy
Mrs. Larkin: AP for Scholars Academy
Mr. Rodriguez: IB Coordinator
Mrs. Erickson: IB/Scholars Secretary
Mrs. Williams: Scholars Academy Counselor
Mrs. Sahwell: CAP Advisor
Mrs. Shelley Groff: Parent Advisory Board
Scholars Student Board
Scholars/IB Office—Room 708
305-532-4515 ext. 2708
dguthrie@dadeschools.net
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Colleges are getting much more rigorous in
their admission requirements.
Admission has become more highly
competitive.
Scholars students should take a rigorous
schedule of classes to have the best
opportunity for successful acceptance.
Research shows a correlation in completing
the HIGHEST level of courses and college
admission.
When researchers control for as many observable
characteristics as are available, they find a
consistent positive association between curricular
intensity and the following:
 Student test scores (Attewell and Domina 2008),
 High school graduation (Schneider, Swanson, and
Riegle-Crumb 1998)
 College entry (Long et al. 2012)
 Type of college entry (Attewell and Domina 2008)
 College grades (Klopfenstein and Thomas 2009)
 College graduation, (Adelman 2006; Attewell and
Domina 2008)
 Wages (Altonji 1995; Rose and Betts 2004).
Academic Preparation for College
Evidence on the Importance of Academic Rigor in High School
Michal Kurlaender, Associate Professor of Education, University of
California at Davis
Jessica S. Howell, Executive Director of Policy Research, The
College Board
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From US DOE Longitudinal Study:
HS Diploma
Basic Math or Pre-Algebra
Enrolled in College
Enrolled in Highly
Selective 4 – Year
College
61.3%
30.4%
0.2%
86.3%
61.5%
2.7%
or PreCalculus
98.6%
89.3%
18.9%
Calculus
99.6%
97.3%
52.2%
Algebra I, Geometry,
or Algebra II
Trigonometry, Statistics,
Source: Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Education
Longitudinal Study of 2002
(ELS : 2002).
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SA students should strongly consider taking
the most rigorous courses in all core areas.
Calculus and Physics are highly
recommended and required for STEM
AP and IB are preferred over dual-enrollment
Show how you “stand out” in leadership and
community service
Test scores are important
College writing ability and character qualities
are predicted from your essay
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Must take English, Math, Science, Social Studies,
and Foreign Language all 4 years, regardless of
FLVS or summer classes
Must complete Math through PreCalculus
Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 9th grade
(AP World History) in the classroom
Must take a minimum of 1 AP class in 10th grade
(AP European History) in the classroom
Must take a minimum of 2 AP classes in each of
the 11th and 12th grades
Required AP classes cannot be taken online
IB Diploma students meet the requirements
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Scholars Academy students must maintain a
3.0 un-weighted GPA (B average) in each of
their core subjects.
Students falling below a B average are placed
on academic probation and must improve
performance by the next year to remain in the
program.
Seniors who fail to maintain a B average in
their core subjects will not receive a SA
graduation cord.
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Forms will be distributed next week during your
English class.
You should have a SA form which is different
from the general subject selection form.
You will have until January to complete the form
properly.
You need to get your current teachers to help
recommend classes and sign your forms.
Choose electives in order of preference.
Sign and have your parent sign.
English classes will meet with each counselor
during articulation in January to turn in forms.
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All AP and Honors classes will now require a
signed red or white “ticket” from your current
teacher that recommends you for the class.
If you have 6 AP and Honors classes, you will
have 6 tickets attached.
All AP classes require an AP contract that is
signed by you and your parent and attached.
All FLVS classes, including summer, MUST BE
APPROVED by your counselor and also include
a contract that must be signed concerning
completion time.
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Students are expected to carefully consider and
honor their requests for classes.
There will be NO SCHEDULE CHANGES made next
year.
We will not switch students from an AP level class
to honors because these classes are filled to
maximum capacity due to class size rules.
Seniors will be given preference for FLVS classes
during school hours.
FLVS classes taken over the summer must be
approved and completed at least 2 weeks prior to
the opening of school.
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Academies and lead teachers will be available
in the media center
9th and 10th graders will attend during their
English class
Others may attend during lunch
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Typical SA Subject Selection Form:
Student Name: ____________________________________________ ID#: __________________
SCHOLARS ACADEMY SUBJECT SELECTION
Teachers please initial next to recommended course.
Students are expected to carefully consider and honor their course selections. Schedule changes will not be permitted.
Language Arts
___A82 Eng. 2H
A83 Eng. 2 HG
Mathematics
B82 Algebra 2H
___B83 Algebra2 HG
B64 PreCalc H
Science
___C83 Chemistry H
___C84 Chemistry HG
___C51 Physics H
___C90 AP Biology
___C92 AP Chemistry
Social Studies
Foreign Language
D91 AP European
Hist (Req.)
___F82 Spanish 2 FL
___F53 Spanish 3H FL
___F32 Portuguese 2
__D71/72 AP US Gov/AP
Econ (IB elective)
___F54 Spanish 4H FL
___F33 Portuguese 3H
___C96 AP EnvSci
___F62 Spanish 2 S
___F34 Portuguese 4H
___F63 Spanish 3H S
___F22 Italian 2
___F64 Spanish 4H S
___F23 Italian 3H
___F57 AP Span Lang
___F24 Italian 4H
___F12 French 2 FL
___F25 AP Italian Lan
___F13 French 3H FL
___F14 French 4H FL
___F17 AP French Lan
Write 4 electives in order of preference (not to include the above core selections).
If you do NOT write down electives, they will be selected for you.
Course Code
Course Name
Teacher Signature (if required)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Scholars Academy students must take Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language every year. Sophomores must take
at least 1 AP course to include AP European History. Spanish, Portuguese, or French is required if you intend to pursue the IB Diploma. AP US
Government/AP Economics is an elective recommended for students wishing to enter the IB Programme. Students should consult the Scholars Office to
inquire about pre-requisites for the IB Diploma Programme. One FLVS course is required prior to graduation.
Given out next week in English classes and
returned during articulation in January.
Scholars Academy AP Curriculum
The four-year Curriculum of Advanced Studies
STEM Path (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math); Pre-Med
Subject Group
English
Foreign
Language
GRADE 9
Pre-AP/H English 1 or
Pre-AP/H Gifted English 1
GRADE 10
Pre-AP/H English 2
Pre-AP/H Gifted English 2
GRADE 11
AP English Language or
H English 3
GRADE 12
AP English Literature or
English 4 Dual Enrollment
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 1 or more
advanced
AP World History
(Required)
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 2 or more
advanced
AP European History
(Required)
AP US Gov & AP Econ (IB
elective)
Pre-AP H Chemistry or
Pre-AP H Gifted Chemistry
Pre-AP H Physics
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 3 or more
advanced
AP US/American History or
H US/American History
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 4/AP or more
advanced
AP Government /Dual
Enrollment Economics
H Physics or
AP Physics B and
AP Biology or
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
H Pre-Calculus (Required)
H Calculus/Dual Enrollment
AP Calculus AB
AP Statistics
H Physics or
AP Physics B/C and
AP Biology or
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
H Calculus/Dual
Enrollment
AP Calculus AB or BC
AP Statistics
H Prob and Statistics
3 Recommended AP or
Electives in STEM or
Internship
AP Psychology
Social
Studies
Science
Mathematics
Electives
Pre-AP H Biology or
Pre-AP H Gifted Biology
Pre-AP H Chemistry
Pre-AP H Gifted Chemistry
Pre-AP H Geometry or
Pre-AP H Gifted Geometry
Pre-AP H Algebra 2
Pre-AP H Gifted Algebra 2
Pre-AP H Algebra 2 or
Pre-AP H Gifted Algebra 2
Pre-AP H Pre-Calculus
Pre AP/IB Inquiry Skills
(Required)
Pers Fitness/Phys Ed
(Required)
Recommended elective in
STEM, Arts, Debate,
Journalism
2 Recommended electives in
STEM
Marine Science 1
AP Biology, AP Chemistry or
AP Env Sci available only
after H Chemistry
3 Recommended AP or
electives STEM or
Internship
Marine Science 2
AP Psychology (must have
completed Psychology)
1. Students must maintain an unweighted 3.0 GPA in the five core academic subjects: English, Foreign Language, Social Studies, Science, and Math and take these courses every year.
2. Students must have completed Honors Physical Science and Honors Algebra I before grade nine.
3. Students must take one AP in grade nine and ten and a minimum of two AP classes in grades eleven and twelve. They must complete Pre-Calculus in Math.
4. Students are recommended to participate in an executive internship in grade eleven or twelve and are required to take at least one FLVS class.
5. University admission is very competitive. Universities and Ivy League schools favor the most rigorous math and science curriculum. Consult the Scholars Office for help with
subject selection and elective choices. Students entering the IB Diploma Programme in grade 11 have specific requirements and options.
Scholars Academy AP Curriculum
The four-year Curriculum of Advanced Studies
Liberal Arts Career Path: Law, Journalism, Social Sciences, Arts, Languages
Subject Group
English
Foreign
Language
GRADE 9
Pre-AP/H English 1 or
Pre-AP/H Gifted English 1
GRADE 10
Pre-AP/H English 2
Pre-AP/H Gifted English 2
GRADE 11
AP English Language or
H English 3
GRADE 12
AP English Literature or
English 4 Dual Enrollment
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 1 or more
advanced
AP World History
(Required)
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 2 or more
advanced
AP European History
(Required)
AP US Gov & AP Econ (IB
elective)
Pre-AP H Chemistry or
Pre-AP H Gifted Chemistry
Pre-AP H Physics
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 3 or more
advanced
AP US/American History or
H US/American History
Spanish/French/Italian/
Portuguese 4/AP or more
advanced
AP Government /Dual
Enrollment Economics
H Physics or
AP Physics B
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
H Pre-Calculus (Required)
H Calculus/Dual Enrollment
AP Calculus AB
AP Statistics
H Physics or
AP Physics B/C
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Environmental Science
H Calculus/Dual
Enrollment
AP Calculus AB or BC
AP Statistics
H Prob and Statistics
3 Recommended AP or
Electives in Arts, Debate,
Journalism, Technology or
Internship
AP Art History
AP Human Geography
AP Psychology
Social
Studies
Science
Mathematics
Electives
Pre-AP H Biology or
Pre-AP H Gifted Biology
Pre-AP H Chemistry
Pre-AP H Gifted Chemistry
Pre-AP H Geometry or
Pre-AP H Gifted Geometry
Pre-AP H Algebra 2
Pre-AP H Gifted Algebra 2
Pre-AP H Algebra 2 or
Pre-AP H Gifted Algebra 2
Pre-AP H Pre-Calculus
Pre AP/IB Inquiry Skills
(Required)
Pers Fitness/Phys Ed
(Required)
Recommended elective in
Arts, Debate, Journalism,
Technology
2 Recommended electives in
Arts, Debate, Journalism,
Technology
AP Biology, AP Chemistry or
AP Env Sci available only
after H Chemistry
3 Recommended AP or
electives in Arts, Debate,
Journalism, Technology or
Internship
AP Art History
AP Human Geography
AP Psychology (must have
completed Psychology)
1. Students must maintain an unweighted 3.0 GPA in the five core academic subjects: English, Foreign Language, Social Studies, Science, and Math and take these courses every year.
2. Students must have completed Honors Physical Science and Honors Algebra I before grade nine.
3. Students must take one AP in grade nine and ten and a minimum of two AP classes in grades eleven and twelve. They must complete Pre-Calculus in Math.
4. Students are recommended to participate in an executive internship in grade eleven or twelve and are required to take at least one FLVS class.
5. University admission is very competitive. Some universities and Ivy League schools may also favor a rigorous math and science curriculum. Consult the Scholars Office for help with
subject selection and elective choices. Students entering the IB Diploma Programme in grade 11 have specific requirements and options.
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Current students in grade 10 may apply for the IB
Diploma Programme for grades 11-12
Applications are currently available online or in
the SA/IB Office, Room 708 – Due Jan 10th
If considering IB:
◦ Italian is currently not offered in IB
◦ Pre-Calculus must be completed to qualify for
Mathematics (Alg. 2 students enter Math Studies)
◦ Chemistry must be completed to qualify for IB Chemistry
(Biology students enter IB Biology)
◦ AP Gov/Econ is a recommended elective for students
wanting IB in grade 10.
IB Schedules will be completed individually once
accepted into the program.
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SA students may choose between the IB Diploma
Programme or continue with the SA curriculum
and AP classes in grades 11-12.
A student may choose a variety of individual AP
classes based on his/her strengths.
◦ AP test over one year’s material
◦ More elective choices
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IB curriculum includes six areas of study, Theory
of Knowledge, Extended Essay, CAS
◦ Balanced, rigorous program in all areas
◦ IB tests in grade 12 cover two year’s material
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Both AP and IB classes count the same in
weighted GPA and may receive college credit with
passing test scores.
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Available at the MBSH website:
miamibeachhigh.schoolwires.com
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Subject selection sheets next week
Academy Fair: December 16 - 17
Articulation: January 7 – 24 (by English class)
Scholars Applications for 8th graders due by
January 10
IB Applications for 10th graders due by
January 10
Boat Show parent volunteers: sign up to
represent Scholars Academy/ IB at the PTSA
website under the Boat Show Volunteer tab
Contact the Scholars Office or email us
individually with questions…